hyland



Jan. 31, 1956 J. E. HYLAND 2,732,573

SNOW AND ICE REMOVER Filed Aug. 1l, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l w /26 y P JohnEHy/ond A ,I INVENTOR.

. /4 /0 /2 By wlawyzmm Jan. 31, 1956 J. E. HYLAND sNow AND ICE REMovER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 rFiled Aug. l1, 1952 R. W dm. M Hym a E. m wn o @n J V..

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5 Sheets-Sheet 5 John E. Hyland INVENTOR.

BY @Laan/Siam uu/Muy /aamu Jan. 31, 1956 J. E. HYLAND SNOW AND ICE REMOVER Filed Aug. l1, 1952 Fig. 6

United States Patent O SNOW AND ICE REMOVER John E. Hyland, Little Falls, Minn.

Application August 11, 1952, Serial No. 303,671

6 Claims. (Cl. 15-82) This invention relates in general to brushing mechanisms, and more specifically to a vehicle mounted brush mechanism specifically designed for the removal of snow and/or ice from substance such as streets, sidewalks, etc.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved snow and sleet remover in the form of a brush mechanism mounted on a vehicle and having driving means for rotating brush units thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved brush mechanism for removing snow and sleet, said brush mechanism being adapted to be mounted on a vehicle for movement along a surface to be cleaned, said brush mechanism having automatic adjustable support means whereby a constant pressure of brush units thereof` on a surface being cleaned may be obtained.

Another object of this invention is to provide an inlproved vehicle mounted brush mechanism which includes a plurality of brush units, each of said brush units being formed of a plurality of individual brush elements, said brush elements being removably associated whereby the effective width of a brush unit may be varied as desired. j

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved brush mechanism forl removing snow and sleet, said brush mechanism being of a relatively simple coristruction and adapted for use with various types ofexisting vehicles which may be utilized as propelling 4means for the brush mechanism.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved brush mechanism adapted to be mounted on vehicles of various types, said brush mechanism having a relatively simple supporting structure whereby the same may be quickly and easily mounted and removed from a supporting vehicle.

With these objects definitely in view, this invention resides in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of elements and portions as will be hereinafter described in detail in the specification, particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a material part of this application and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a conventional dump truck which has mounted thereon between the wheels thereof the brush mechanism which is the subject of this invention, the brush mechanism being driven by the power unit of the truck;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a road grader having a brush mechanism similar to that illustrated in Figure l attached thereto in lieu of its scraping blade;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a special vehicle intended primarily for use with the brushing mechanism, which is the subject of this invention, the brushing mechanism being mounted between the wheels of the same;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of a trailer mounted brushing mechanism, the trailer being illustrated as being drawn behind a conventional truck;

' Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the brushing ICC mechanism mounted on a special support carried at the front end of a dump truck;

Figure 6 is a transverse horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane-indicated by the section line 6 6 of Figure 8 and show's the general construction of the brush mechanism, a gear housing of the drive means being broken away in orderto clearly illustrate the gear construction therein, a portion of one of the brush units being broken away and shown in section in order to illustrate the arrangement of individual brush elements;

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the drive shaft arrangement for the brush mechanism, a portion of the housing for said drive mechanism being broken away and shown in section; and

Figure 8 is an enlarged side elevational view of the brush mechanism illustrated in Figures 1 through 5 inelusive, a portion of one of the supports for the brush mechanism being broken away and shown in section in order to clearly illustrate the construction thereof.

Similar characters of reference designate similar or identical elements and portions throughout the specification and throughout the different views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the snow and sleet removing brush mechanism, which is the subject of this invention, is referred to in general by the reference numeral 10 and is best illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8. The brush mechanism 10 includes a pair of spaced parallel brush units, which are referred to in general by the reference numerals 12 and 14, joined together by longitudinally extending frame members in the form of equalizer bars 16 and 18 disposed at opposite ends of the brush units 12 and 14.

Inasmuch as the brush units are identical, only the brush unit 12 will be described in detail. The brush unit 12 includes an elongated shaft 20 which is provided with a longitudinal keyway 22, the keyway 22 extending substantially the full length of the shaft 20 and terminating adjacent the ends thereof. Mounted on the shaft 20 and keyed thereto for rotation therewith is a plurality of individual brush elements which are referred to in general by the reference numeral 24. Each brush element 24y includes a central hub 26 which has radiating therefroml a plurality of wires 28. The wires 28 may be either in the form of hardened crinkled steel wire or may be provided with special hardened tips.

The crinkled wire is much more effective than straight wire in digging into the ice and snow and is less resistant to permanent bending from its radially directed condition.

The brush elements 24, inasmuch as the wire portions are wider than the central hub, are spaced from each other by spacers 30 carried by the shaft 20. While the brush elements 24 have been illustrated as extending substantially the full length of the shaft 20 between the equalizer bars 16 and 18, it will be understood that any number of brush elements 24 may be utilized and that the effective width of the brush unit 12, as well as the brush unit 14, may be varied as desired. This is accomplished by omitting those brush elements 24 which are not required and replacing the same with elongated spacers (not shown) similar to the spacers 30.

The equalizer bars 16 and 18 are provided at their ends with aligned enlarged hubs 32 and 34, respectively, in which the ends of the shafts 20 of the brush units 12 and 14 are rotatably journaled. It will be understood that the hubs 32 and 34 are provided with suitable bearing means in order to facilitate the rotation of the shafts 20.

The equalizer bars 16 and 18 are also provided with enlarged centrally located hubs 36 and 38 which are in transverse alignment and which have mounted therein for rotation a transverse drive shaft 40. It will be understood that the hubs 36 and 38 are also provided with suitable bearing means to facilitate the rotation of the drive shaft 40. Mounted on the drive shaft 40 adjacent the equalizer bar 18 is an inner drive sprocket 42 which is in alignment with a drive sprocket 44 carried by the shaft 20 of the brush unit 14. The driven sprocket 44 is maintained in alignment with the drive sprocket 42 by a spacer 46 locked on the shaft 20 and engaging the inner surface of the equalizer bar 18. Extending between and entrained over the drive sprocket 42 and the driven sprocket 44 is a drive chain 48 to facilitate the rotation of the brush unit 14.

Also mounted on the drive shaft 40 adjacent the equalizer bar 18 is an outer drive sprocket 50 which is in alignment with the driven sprocket 52 mounted on the shaft 30 of the brush unit 12. The driven sprocket 52 is maintained in alignment with the drive sprocket 50 by a spacer 54 disposed between the driven sprocket 52 and the outer spacer 30 of the brush unit 12. If it is so desired, the spacers 46 and 54 may be made integral with their respective driven sprockets 44 and 52 and rigidly secured to the shaft 20 of their respective brush units to facilitate the mounting of the drive sprockets. The driven sprocket 52 is connected to the drive sprocket 50 for rotation therewith by a drive chain 56 entrained thereover.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7 in particular, it will be seen that the drive shaft 40 has mounted thereon intermediate its ends a lower gear housing 58. The lower gear housing 58 is provided with aligned horizontal sleeve portions 60 in which are mounted suitable bearing means for facilitating the rotation of the drive shaft 40 with respect to the housing 58. The drive shaft 40 is provided with a first bevel gear 64 which is in eugagment with a second bevel gear 66, the bevel gears 64 and 66 being at right angles to each other and disposed within the bearing housing 58.

The bevel gear 66 is mounted on the lower end of a vertical drive shaft 68 whose upper end is provided with a bevel gear 70. The bevel gear 70 is in engagement with a bevel gear 72, the bevel gears 70 and 72 being at right angles to each other and in driving relation. The bevel gears 70 and 72 are disposed in an upper bearing housing 74 which is connected to and whose interior communicates with the lower gear housing 58 by a torque tube 76.

Extending out of the upper bearing housing 74 at substantially right angles to the drive shaft 68 is a drive shaft 78. One end of the drive shaft 78 has mounted thereon the bevel gear 72 and the other end thereof is connected to a drive shaft 80 by a universal coupling 82. The drive shaft 80 is connected to any suitable power source for driving the brush mechanism 10.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 8 in particular, it will be seen that mounted on each end of the drive shaft 40 is a support which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 84. The support 84 includes a hydraulic cylinder 86 having mounting anges 88 thereon, the mounting anges extending verticaly and adapted to be connected by suitable fastening means to a frame of a supporting vehicle. The hydraulic cylinder 86 is provided with a piston 90 and a piston shaft 92 with the piston 92 passing through the lower end of the hydraulic cylinder 86.

The lower end of each of the piston shafts 92 is provided with an enlarged boss 94 in which is mounted suitable bearing means. The bosses 94 have extending therethrough for rotation outer ends of the drive shaft 40. The bosses 94 are retained on the outer ends of the drive shaft 40 by suitable fastening means 96.

The hydraulic cylinder 86 is provided with hydraulic lines 98 and 100 which may be attached to a hydraulic system of a suitable towing or supporting vehicle. By selectively controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders 86, the piston shafts 92 may be raised or lowered to raise or lower the brush units 12 and 14.

Also, the pressure exerted by the brush units 12 and 14 on a surface being cleaned may be varied through the use of the hydraulic cylinders 86. Inasmuch as the equalizer bars 16 and 18, which support the brush units 12 and 14, are pivotally mounted with respect to the piston shafts, it will be seen that the brush mechanism 10 will automatically adjust itself to an uneven surface and the brush units 12 and 14 will exert equal pressures on the surface being cleaned.

Referring now to Figure 1 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a conventional dump truck which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 102. The dump truck 102 includes a supporting frame 104 which is mounted on front and rear wheels 106 and 108, respectively, and supports a dump body 110. Mounted on opposite sides of the frame 104 are supports 84 of the brush mechanism 10 with the brush mechanism 10 being disposed between the front and rear wheels 106 and 108, respectively, of the dump truck.

The dump truck 102 is provided with a power take-off 112 to which is connected one end of the drive shaft 80 of the brush mechanism 10. By so connecting the drive means of the brush mechanism, it will be seen that the brush mechanism 10 may be driven from the power takeoff of the dump truck 102 in order to rotate the brush elements l2 and 14 thereof while the truck is travelling over a surface to be cleaned. It will be understood that the dump body is raised by a suitable hydraulic cylinder, (not shown) which has associated therewith a hydraulic pump (not shown). The hydraulic lines 98 and 100 of the supports 84 are connected to the hydraulic pump and the supports are adjusted through means for controlling the hydraulic pump.

Referring now to Figure 2 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a conventional road grader which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 114. The road grader 114 includes a longitudinally extending frame 116 and is driven by a power unit 118. The frame 116 is provided with mounting plates 120 on which is normally mounted a scraper blade (not shown). The brush mechanism 10 is mounted on the road grader 114 beneath its frame 116 by attaching the supports 84 thereof to the mounting plates 120.

Extending rearwardly from the brush mechanism 10 is the drive shaft 78 whose companion drive shaft 80 (not shown) is connected to a power take-off (not shown) of the power unit 118. It will also be understood that the road grader 114 is provided with a hydraulic system to which is connected the hydraulic lines 98 and 100 for actuating the supports 84 of the brush mechanism 10.

Referring now to Figure 3 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a vehicle which is especially designed for use with the brush mechanism 10, the vehicle being referred to in general by the reference numeral 122. The vehicle 122 includes a generally inverted U-shaped frame 124 which is supported by front wheels 126 and rear wheels 128. Mounted on the rear of the frame 124 at one side thereof is a power unit which is connected by a suitable drive means to the wheels 128 for driving the same. Mounted on the other side of the rear of the frame 124 is a suitable cab 132 in which an operator of the vehicle 122 may be seated and protected against the elements.

The frame 124 is provided with a pair of mounting plates 134 between the front and rear wheels. Secured to the mounting plates 134 and depending therefrom are supports for the brush mechanism 10. The drive shaft 78 of the brush mechanism 10 extends rearwardly and its associated drive shaft 80 (notl shown) is connected to a power take-off (not shown) of the vehicle 122, the power take-off being driven by the power unit 130. It will also be understood that the vehicle 122 is provided with a suitable hydraulic system controllable from within the cab 132 to which the hydraulic lines 98 and 100 of the supports 84 are connected for positioning the brush units 12 and 14.

While the vehicle 122 has been specifically designed for use with the brush mechanism 10, if it is so desired, the brush mechanism may be removed therefrom and replaced by a small scraper blade to form a small road grader.

Referring now to Figure 4 in particular, it will be seen that the brush mechanism 10 is mounted on a trailer unit which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 136. The trailer unit 136 includes an arched frame 138 whose forward end is connected to and supported by a trailer hitch 140 carried by a conventional vehicle 142. The rear end of the frame 138 is supportedby wheels 144 and mounted over the wheels and supported by the frame 138 is a power unit 146.

The frame 138 is provided with depending mounting flanges or plates 148 to which are connected the supports 84 of the brush mechanism 10. The drive means of the brush mechanism 10 is connected to the power unit 146 by the drive shaft 78 and the universal connection 82 in order to rotate the brush units l2 and 14.

It will be understood that the vehicle 142 will be of the type which is provided with a hydraulic system (not shown). Extending rearwardly from the vehicle 142 and connected at their forward ends to the hydraulic system thereof are the hydraulic lines 98 and 100 for adjusting the supports 84 of the brush mechanism 10. will be understood that inasmuch as the hydraulic system of the vehicle 142 is controllable from the cab thereof, that the brush mechanism 10 may be also controlled from the cab of the vehicle.

Referring now to Figure 5 in particular, it I is seen that there is illustrated a conventional vehicle 150i. Disposed at the front of the vehicle 150 and adapted t6 be pushed thereby is a special mounting frame which sfreferred to in general by the reference numeral 152. Thjemounting frame 152 includes a pair of spaced paralleliframe sections 154 which are connected together by suitable trans verse frame members (not shown) Each of the frame sections 154 includes a horizontal frame member 156 which is connected at its Crear end to a vertical frame member 158. Extending between and connected to the forward end of the horizontal frame member 156 and the upper end of the vertical frame member 158 is a diagonal frame member 16,0.

The vertical frame member 158 is provided with a downwardly projecting extension 162 which ,engages the front of a bumper 164 of the vehicle 150 and is pushed thereby. The lower end of the projection 162jhas secured thereto a push arm 164 whose rear end is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 166 to a mounting bracket 168 carried b`ythe frame 170 of the vehicle 150.

Mounted on the mounting frame 152 is a power unit 172. The power unit 172 is connected by a drive shaft 174 and a universal connection 176 to a modified form of brush mechanism, which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 180. The brush mechanism 180 differs from the brush mechanism 10 only in that the supports 180 are solid members rigidly connected to the horizontal frame members 156 by suitable fastening means. Inasmuch as the mounting frame and the power unit are supported by the brush mechanism 180, the pressure exerted by the brush mechanism 180 on a surface being cleaned could not be increased or decreased to use of hydraulic cylinders, as used in connection with the brush mechanism 10. It will be understood that the remainder of the brush mechanism 180 is identical to the brush mechanism 10.

While the brush mechanism 10 has been described and illustrated as being provided with hydraulic means for raising and lowering the brush units 12 and 14, it will be understood that it is within the scope of this invention to provide other types of suitable mechanical means for performing this function. It will also be understood that the rotation of the brush units 12 and 14 are such that they throw the snow and sleet, or any other material being cleaned from a surface, away from the surface previously cleaned.

While only one pair of brush units have been illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification, it is not intended that the invention be so limited. Should it be so desired, additional brush units may be incorporated in the brushing attachment by adding additional drive shafts to the power take-off or direct drive.

The operation of this device will be understood from the foregoing description of the details thereof, taken in connection with the above recited objects and drawings. Further description would appear to be unnecessary.

Minor modifications of the device, varying in minor details from the embodiment of the device illustrated and described here, may be resorted to without departure from the spirit and scope of this invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. In a road snow and ice remover for attachment to a vehicle, a pair of elongated cylindrical brush units, frame means for attaching said units the vehicle comprising a pair of equalizer bars extending longitudinally and spaced transversely with respect to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle, said bars rotatably supporting the brush units transversely between themv in longitudinally spaced relation for parallel rotation on their respective longitudinal axes, supports carried by the bars for attaching the same to the vehicle, said Supports having pivotal connection with the bars on an axis lying centrally between and on a common plane with said longitudinal axes of the brush units.

2. In a road snow and ice remover for attachment to a vehicle, a pair of elongated cylindrical brush units, frame means for attaching said units to the vehicle comprisig a pair of equalizers bars extending longitudinally and spaced transversely with respect to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle, said bars rotatably supporting the brush units transversely between them in longitudinally spaced relation for rotation on their respective longitudinal axes, supports carried by the bars for attaching the same to the vehicle, and drive means for the brushes carried by said frame means, said supports being pivotally connected to the bars at points longitudinally intermediate the brush units for free movement of the bars about the pivot axis.

3. A brushing attachment for a vehicle having an auxiliary power source comprising a pair of frame members arranged in horizontally spaced parallel relation, a pair of rotary brush units each extending crosswise between the members and being supported in spaced relation thereby for rotation on parallel axes, support means for attaching the members to a vehicle, said support means being pivotally connected to the members by means of a single shaft disposed between the brushes and extending from one frame member to the other, means for connecting the shaft to the vehicle auxiliary power source for rotation of the shaft, and drive means connecting the shaft to the brush units for rotating the units.

4. In a snow and ice removing attachment for a vehicle having a power take-olf means and a hydraulic iluid source, a pair of hydraulic jacks adapted to be mounted one on each side of the vehicle to depend therefrom, each of said jacks having a longitudinally extending equalizer bar pivoted medially at the lower end of the jack for movement about a transverse axis, a pair of elongated cylindrical brush units rotatably supported between said bars one fore and one aft of said pivot axis, means for connecting said jacks to said fluid source for the retraction or extension thereof to respectively raise or lower the bars and the brush units supported thereby, transmission means supported between the bars for connection to said vehicle power takeoff means, and driving connection between the transmission means and brush units for rotating the units.

5. In a road snow and ice removing device for attachment to vehicles, a pair of elongated cylindrical brushes adapted to rest upon the road in tandem relation ahead of the vehicle and crosswise with respect to the intended direction of travel, a pair of transversely spaced, longitudinally extending bars connecting the ends of the brush units to allow rotation thereof, a bracket pivoted near the longitudinal center of each bar and extending upwardly therefrom, a horizontally arranged frame rigidly mounted on the brackets to lie above the brush units, a power unit mounted on the frame, drive means connecting the power unit to the brush units for positively rotating the brushes, a vertical member rigidly mounted at the rear of the frame and extending downwardly therebelow and an elongated pusher bar having one end fixed to the lower end of the vertical member and adapted to extend rearwardly under the vehicle for pivotal connection at its other end lto the vehicle.

6. A brushing attachment for a vehicle having an auxiliary power source comprising a pair of frame members arranged in horizontally spaced parallel relation,

a pair of rotary brush units each extending crosswise between the frame members and being supported in spaced relation thereby for rotation on parallel axes, support means for attaching the frame member to a vehicle, said support means being pivotally connected to the frame members on an axis intermediate the brush unit axes and parallel thereto, rotary means supported by the frame members for rotation on said pivot axis and adapted for connection to said vehicle auxiliary power source, and drive means connecting said rotary means to the brush units for rotating the units.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 557,377 Gee Mar. 31, 1896 703,194 Hansbury June 24, 1902 853,378 Rice May 14, 1907 911,702 Carroll Feb. 9, 1909 982,570 Brooks Jan. 24, 1911 1,546,531 Anderson July 21, 1925 2,278,306 Cushman et al. Mar. 31, 1942 2,516,600 Shipley July 25, 1950 2,548,676 Milz Apr. 10, 1951 

